đŸ¶ CT's Best Dog Parks, Secret Beaches & Half-Price Movie Nights

June 19, 2025

👋 Hey there, CT explorers! Hope your week’s been treating you (and your four-legged BFFs) well. Whether you’re itching to let your pup run free, craving a peaceful beach day, or just trying to cool off with popcorn and AC — we’ve got you. Scroll on for this week’s mix of local gems, seasonal savings, and doggone good ideas.

Here’s what we’re wagging our tails about today:

đŸŸ A roundup of CT’s best dog parks (plus etiquette tips)
🌊 The “secret” CT beach ranked among the best in the country
🎬 AMC’s new half-price Wednesdays are coming soon to CT theaters
📗 This Month in CT History: Connecticut’s First Juneteenth Celebration
📰 Local headlines you might’ve missed

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Let your pup run wild at these top-rated spots across the state.

Whether your dog’s the social butterfly of the park or just needs a safe space to sprint, Connecticut has no shortage of off-leash havens for your furry best friend. From fenced-in small-dog zones to trail-filled woodsy areas, this updated list has something for every type of pup (and owner).

✹ Some must-sniff spots include:

  • Jennings Dog Beach in Fairfield (for beach-loving barkers)

  • Glastonbury Dog Park, with water stations and shady spots

  • New Milford’s Candlewoof, complete with poop bag stations and volunteer upkeep

  • Stamford and Colchester parks, both with fenced areas for all sizes

New to the dog park scene? The guide also includes helpful etiquette tips — like what not to do, how to keep play safe and fun, and which dog personalities are best suited for group play.

👉 Read the full list of top CT dog parks to plan your next paw-some outing!

This is not an advertisement.

🌅 SECRET BEACH SPOTLIGHT

STONINGTON’S DUBOIS BEACH NAMED ONE OF AMERICA’S TOP “SECRET” SHORELINES

credit: Stonington Borough

Quiet, family-friendly, and loaded with postcard-worthy views — yes, please.

Hidden away at the edge of Stonington Borough, duBois Beach was just ranked the #1 secret beach in Connecticut (and one of the best in the U.S.) by Frugal Flyer’s latest travel survey.

This lowkey gem is ideal for families and chill swimmers looking to escape the crowds. Think shallow, calm waters, scenic lighthouses in the distance, and salty breeze vibes — minus the parking drama or boardwalk chaos.

Perfect for your next “staycation” beach day or low-effort weekend getaway.

📍 You’ll find duBois Beach at the tip of Water Street in Stonington Point, where it looks out over Stonington Harbor, Fisher's Island Sound, and Little Narragansett Bay.

AMC TO OFFER 50% OFF WEDNESDAY TICKETS THIS SUMMER

More popcorn, less price guilt? Say no more.

Get ready for midweek movie magic: Starting July 9, AMC Theatres across Connecticut will slash ticket prices by 50% on Wednesdays for AMC Stubs Insider members (yes, it’s free to join).

With the rise of streaming and A/C season in full swing, this is the perfect excuse to go all-in on a big-screen summer. Plus, Wednesday is officially shaping up to be the new Tuesday — value-wise, anyway.

đŸŽ„ Find AMC locations in Trumbull, Norwalk, Southington, and beyond.

🍿 Bonus perks for members include free popcorn refills, Tuesday discounts, and more.

Right now, AARP is offering a membership deal you don’t want to miss. Join today for just $15 for your first full year with automatic renewal — and choose a bonus gift to sweeten the deal (your choice of an insulated trunk organizer or a portable power bank)!

AARP members get so many benefits that can more than pay for your membership several times over:

  • Instant savings on dining, shopping, gas, and everyday essentials

  • Big travel perks, including discounts on flights, cruises, hotels, and car rentals

  • A free subscription to AARP The Magazine

  • Access to over 40 online games, from Pong to Breakout

  • Advocacy support on key issues like Social Security and Medicare

Whether you're looking to save money, travel more, or stay informed and entertained, AARP delivers unbeatable value.

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đŸŒČ ZIP INTO ADVENTURE AT THE DISCOVERY MUSEUM

Looking for an unforgettable outdoor thrill?
Unplug, harness up, and climb into the tree-tops at The Adventure Park at The Discovery Museum — where ziplining, ropes courses, and sky-high fun collide.

What You’re Getting:

✅ Full-day access to 15 high ropes & zipline trails
✅ Safety briefing + gear included
✅ No experience needed—go at your own pace
✅ Designed for ages 5+ and all fitness levels
✅ Perfect for family days, group hangs, or an epic date
✅ Valid until December 31, 2025

⚠ Heads up: Sale ends in less than 24 hours. After that, poof—prices jump back up.
💡 Pro tip: Wear comfy, closed-toe shoes and prep for fun (and maybe a little sweat).

đŸŽŸïž Grab your discounted Adventure Pass here
Your tree-top thrill awaits. Don’t look down. đŸŒłâœš

TOP EVENTS TODAY YOU DON’T WANT TO MISS

HAVE YOU BEEN HERE YET?

THIS MONTH IN CONNECTICUT HISTORY

How one city sparked a statewide tradition honoring Black freedom and resilience

In 1989, the Norwich Branch of the NAACP made history by organizing Connecticut’s first known Juneteenth celebration. While the holiday had been a longstanding tradition in African American communities—particularly in the South—this marked a powerful beginning for statewide recognition in New England.

Juneteenth commemorates June 19, 1865, when Union troops arrived in Galveston, Texas, to announce the end of slavery—over two years after the Emancipation Proclamation. Though late, the message marked a turning point that has been celebrated ever since as a symbol of delayed justice and enduring strength.

Following Norwich’s lead, other Connecticut towns began hosting their own Juneteenth events. In 2012, the city further honored its commitment by forging the “Norwich Freedom Bell,” now a permanent fixture in the David Ruggles Freedom Courtyard. And in 2022, Connecticut officially recognized Juneteenth as a state holiday—cementing its place in the calendar and in the hearts of communities across the state.

From a small city’s initiative to statewide acknowledgment, Juneteenth in Connecticut is a story of remembrance, recognition, and the ongoing pursuit of equality.

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HEADLINES AROUND THE STATE

đŸŽ€ Stevie Nicks Set to Rock Hartford This Fall
Legendary Fleetwood Mac singer and double Rock & Roll Hall of Fame inductee Stevie Nicks will stop at Hartford’s PeoplesBank Arena on October 25 as part of her fall tour. Presale starts June 18, with general tickets available June 20.

🏬 Trumbull Mall Under New Management as Ownership Changes Hands
Real estate firm Centennial has taken over management of Trumbull Mall, Connecticut’s first enclosed shopping center. The mall remains open as Centennial steps in to stabilize operations and explore new value opportunities while the property searches for a new owner.

💰 $50,000 Reward Offered in 2019 Meriden Homicide
Gov. Ned Lamont has authorized a $50,000 reward for information leading to an arrest in the 2019 killing of Francisco Huertas in Meriden. Investigators hope the reward will encourage new tips and help bring justice in the long-unsolved case.

🧠 CT Invests $2 Million in Veterans’ Stroke Recovery Innovation
Connecticut has passed a law creating a $2 million Neuromodulation Center of Excellence to provide veterans access to Vivistim Therapy—an FDA-approved, implantable device that drastically improves stroke recovery. The first 10 veterans will begin treatment in 2027 through UConn Health and Hartford HealthCare.

Thanks!

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